Category Archives: Faith

December 20th 2016 – Give Me Some of That Water

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“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me some of that water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to haul water.” (John 4:15)

 

The Israelites and Samaritans lived in a dry, thirsty land; in a desert. It is hard for many of us to imagine how valuable water is in such a desperate place. Yet, we live in a spiritually dry and thirsty land; we are often oblivious to the lack. I wonder how many times a day someone tells us they are thirsty. Perhaps not, “please give me some of that water,” but they put it another way. When they speak of problems with their children, troubles in their marriage, trials in their life, they are really saying, “I am thirsty.” When they are short tempered, worn out and angry, they are saying they don’t know how to quench their thirst. I also wonder how many times we don’t really understand their plea and their thirst. How many times we walk past opportunities to minister to them. Look for the thirsty and look for the dry. Hear their cries and offer them living water.

“We should be pouring out to the world what God has poured into us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly  Father, Thank You for loving me so much that You allow me to serve You. Lord, I lift this land up to You and ask You to raise up workers for the harvest. You offer the water that completely quenches our need and You offer it abundantly and freely. Open the hearts of this world to Your gift and allow me to play a part in the quenching of this thirsty world. I thank You that the results are in Your almighty hands. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 19th 2016 – Finding Peace in the Suffering

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“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,

Against the Man who is My Companion,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“Strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered;
Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.” (Zachariah 13:7)

Often, it can be difficult to walk through situations that we can’t explain. In this fallen, broken and sinful world, we are constantly facing trials and tribulations that shake us to the core. In the thirteenth chapter of Zechariah, we get a glimpse of our loving God’s divine plan to use the pain and suffering of His Son to change the world. Fully involved in the process, God calls for the sword to come against His Shepherd which is Jesus. When Jesus walked to the cross, He did so with determination and a purpose. It was no accident, but it was His perfect plan.

“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:18)

From the beginning of time God planned to use the suffering of His Son for the redemption of mankind. In the same way God can use our suffering for something far greater than ourselves. The loss of a job may mean an opportunity to display God’s peace in difficult times. The brokenness of a relationship may mean that God has something much greater for you.  The diagnosis of cancer could be the catalyst God uses to bring someone to Christ. In the hands of a mighty God, even the death of a loved one can mean the salvation of many more. The God of all creation is at work in our lives and He will use the good and the bad for His glory and our good no matter what.

“God is more concerned with His glory than our gratification, and we should be too.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for the times that I have questioned Your goodness and love. Despite life’s difficulties You have shown Your love for me in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help me to remember this powerful Truth and to use my good times and bad times for Your Kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 10th 2016 – Be Quick to Show Grace

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“Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Acts 15:10)

 

It is a sad reality that few Christians are willing to extend grace to one another as Jesus showed grace to us. On the day that we asked Jesus to forgive us of all our sins, He extended His grace toward us. God extends this same grace to each of us every day. What about your friends and family? Do they need grace? What about co-workers or maybe the person sitting next to you in church?

How quick we can be to call out the sin in others while we ignore the sin in our own lives. This shows just how poor our understanding is of what Jesus did for us. If we truly understand just how far down God had to extend His merciful hand to reach us, certainly we should be willing to reach out with the same grace to others.

Think about this. When we accept God’s grace for ourselves, but are unwilling to show grace to others, are we not claiming the gospel of grace for ourselves while charging the law to others? What pride! Colossians 3:12-13 reads, “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Be quick to show grace. Be ready to show mercy. After all, if when you look at someone else you see their sin, what do you think they see when they look at you? God’s grace is not only sufficient for us, it’s sufficient for us to show others.

“Grace is not just something we receive, it is also something we give.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace. Please forgive me for the times when I have not shown that same grace to others. Help me to show grace from now on so that others will see You in me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 5th 2016 – My Absolute Surender

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“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,” (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

Are you fully surrendered to God’s will for your life? I believe many of us would eagerly say “yes” because we desire to be obedient to God. Of course, the question gets a little hard when you add, “Even if it involves suffering?” This is where the rubber meets the road and where we have to ask ourselves the hard questions. After all, comfort is nice, but in order to experience life to the fullest, we need to trust and walk out God’s plan, not our own.

I still struggle in this area personally. I have often ask myself “why do i continually face all of of the obstacles day after day? Im greatful that my faith would never change, however I still get discouraged at times.

In the life of Paul, we have a front row seat to a life dedicated to the Lord–no matter what. Paul had been mocked and criticized, beaten, shipwrecked and more, yet he remained obedient without batting an eye. How? Why? Because he loved God and knew that a life dedicated to Jesus would mean that he’d endure sufferings like our Lord did. So with that in mind, I’ll ask again, “Are you surrendered to God’s will for your life?” Then get moving and watch God do amazing things in your life.

“Exercising our faith requires action, especially during difficult times.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for Your grace and mercy. Lord, I don’t want to be content with a life of comfort. I desire to be obedient to Jesus even if it means suffering. Give me the strength to endure and the faith to trust in You no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name, Amen

God loves you and wants only the best for us, His children.. If you have not fully surrendered your life to Jesus, or would like to take this time to reconnect with Him, Please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.or

December 4th 2016 – Am I Not an Apostle?

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“Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1)

Apostle Paul… many of us hear that name and think of teacher, new testament writer and hard core missionary. As we read about his actions in the book of Acts and study his letters throughout the scriptures, we can easily see God’s hand on His life. Yet, even this incredible man of God had to deal with people questioning his role as apostle and not just unbelievers, but believers who Paul himself had led to the Lord.

So, what are we to do when we begin to serve God only to find ourselves faced with discouraging words from those we thought we knew? We need to pray for them and then we continue walking with the Lord. It’s in Christ that we find our encouragement and it’s in Christ that we find strength during those battles. I’ll go ahead and tell you now that serving God is not going to lessen the number of nay-sayers; it’s going to bring more. Of course, while we may face harsh words from those around us, the sweetest words ever to be heard lay before us when Christ says, “well done good and faithful servant.”

“The more good we do, or impact or influence we have, the more people will speak ill of us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for my life and for the forgiveness I have through Jesus. Thank You for the opportunities I have to serve You and serve others. Lord, as I step out in faith and begin serving You, may I look to You for my encouragement regardless of what men say. Father, keep me focused on You no matter the circumstance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.or

December 2nd 2016 – Abide

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“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:7-8)

“If you abide in Me….” If we are born again, we do abide in Christ. If Jesus had said that and that alone, we would have had it made, but He continued, “And my words abide in you.”

Jesus’ words abide in us in the measure that they govern our lives in the measure that we act upon them. If Jesus’ words abide in us, we are bound to have faith, because the Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
It would be impossible for Jesus’ words to abide in someone and for that person not to have faith!

Unbelief and doubt are a result of ignorance of the Word of God. If we live the Word, then when we come to pray, that Word dwells in us so richly that it becomes Jesus’ Word on our lips. It will be as if the Father’s words were on the lips of Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I abide in You. And Your words abide in me. Help me hide Your words in my heart, believe them with all my heart. I pray them. When I come to prayer, the Word that dwells in my heart becomes God’s Word on my lips, and it cannot return to God void. It will accomplish what it has been set to do. I praise You and am so greatful for your presence in my life. in Jesus’ name Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 1st 2016 – Hope in the Midst of Pain and Suffering

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“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3:21-23)

Lamentations is a difficult book because of the images of suffering that fill its pages. Yet, in the very middle of Jeremiah’s words of pain and suffering are words of hope. In fact, it is as if the prophet simply turns a corner in his mind and begins thinking of God’s character and nature rather than his circumstances. It’s at that moment where we read these words, “Therefore, I have hope.”

In a broken world, hope can be hard to come by. Each day, we are face to face with tragedy, sickness and death, but it is within this reality of pain that God brings hope. This hope is not founded on our situation or ability; our hope is founded on God. How can we have hope in God? Because He is all powerful, all knowing, never-changing, and He loves us. This means that no matter the pain, God is there. No matter the difficulty, God is guiding us and using that difficulty for our good. If you find yourself in the middle of hard times, do not fear, because the maker of heaven and earth is with you. Draw close to Him, and He will help you to live in hope, not fear.

“In life, we should think more about how great God is and less about how great our troubles are.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I love You and give You praises for still being here and loving us in such a time like this. The world is ungreatful and broken.. I know that I can often lose sight of Your love while I’m in the middle of hard times. Help me to be mindful of Your love, mercy, compassion and strength so that I can endure and even rejoice in my pain. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may live in hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 28th 2016 – What Do You Seek

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Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” (John 1:38)

That’s the question we need to have answered in our lives isn’t it? “What do you seek?” Is it a better marriage, a promotion at work, more money to invest, more notoriety or to see your kids walking with the Lord? Are we seeking the Lord’s hand of blessing more than we are seeking the Lord Himself?

They then asked Jesus where he was staying. He told them to come and see. Where is the Lord in our lives? The Lord is saying to come and hang with Him. We ask where. The cross.

(Luke 9:23-24) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

When we come to Jesus not for His hand of blessing but for His will to be done in our lives, and when we are willing to lay down our life for his sake, then He begins showing us things greater than we could possibly imagine. Later in this chapter, Jesus sees Nathaniel having devotions under the tree…

(John 1:50) Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Please prioritize the Lord in your devotional life. Jesus is taking note. He then tells us “You will see greater things than these.” When we lay our life down for His sake, we find that all we ever needed was Jesus.

“You don’t know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please help me continue to seek You because I want to know You not just what You can give me. Please forgive me when I fail in this. Give me the power of Your Spirit to set my devotion upon You and Your will for me. I thank You Lord because I can trust You’ll do even greater things with my life as I trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 20th 2016 – Share Your Story

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“Then he said: ‘I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.'” (Acts 22:2-3)

In Acts 22, Paul shares his testimony. Why is he doing this? Is it so others will be amazed at his religious upbringing or at the depth of his biblical training? Is it to glorify his past? No, Paul is sharing his testimony to lead others to Christ by explaining who he was before Jesus, what Jesus did, and the joy that he now has because of Jesus. This is one of the most effective ways of sharing your faith.You see, people can argue about historical facts and they can disagree over cultural details, but people cannot argue with the fact that you found love, joy and forgiveness at the foot of the cross. Brother or sister, don’t be shy about telling your ‘God story’. Tell it to as many as will listen and you will be amazed at how God will use it to change the lives of those around you.

“Share your life story often with people.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me and saving me. Though I was a sinner, You sought me out and saved me from who I was so that I could live for You forever. Please give me courage and opportunity to share my testimony with others and forgive me for times when I had opportunities to share and did not. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 16th 2016 – A True Friend Loves at All Times

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“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17)

A careful reading through the life of the Apostle Paul will yield insight concerning those who surrounded him. Today I want to focus on two of Paul’s friends, Luke and Demas.

Luke was a true and faithful friend to Paul, staying with and supporting him to the very end of his life, even through the some of the worst times Paul faced. Then, there was another friend, whose name was Demas, about whom Paul wrote positively at first, but who did not remain faithful to the end. Paul records that Demas forsook him because he “loved this present world.” (2 Timothy 4:10)

As the end of the age approaches, we also will be tested as to where our love lies; with the Father, or with the world. The apostle John writes, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

I do not believe that Demas lost his salvation, but he did lose his capacity to sense and express the love of the Father, which damaged his testimony, his spiritual relationships, and undoubtedly cost him heavenly rewards. What kind of friend will we be to God? Will we be faithful, or will we allow the love of this world to quench our fire, and compromise our relationships?

My encouragement to you is to be faithful until the end. Don’t forget that Jesus gave a warning to end-time saints, saying, “because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold.”(Matthew 24:12)

Become a friend like Luke, and learn from the life of Demas do not allow love for the world to quench your love for God.  Don’t forget, a true friend loves…at all times!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for my friends and for my family. I lift them up to You Lord and ask that continue to bless them with an abundance of faith so that they will not grow cold. Help me be a true friend that loves at all times. Lord God, may we never forget that we always have a faithful friend in You. I love You and trust You Lord. I will not take my eyes off you… In Jesus’ name Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org